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cnbc.com
G7 nations to release diesel stocks as wars in Europe and Middle East constrain fuel supplies
EU countries are set for crisis talks on soaring diesel prices, with officials warning a U.S. export ban could hurt Europe’s economic outlook.
theguardian.com
US bonds rally after weaker-than-expected jobs report shows hiring slowdown – business live
US economy only added 29,000 jobs in September, which might deter the Federal Reserve from raising interest ratesUK diesel price hits record high of £2 a litreCore inflation in the eurozone also inched up last month.Inflation, excluding energy, food, alcohol & tobacco, rose to 2.5% in September up from 2.4% in August. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
US jobs market sees sharp slowdown ahead of midterm elections
Unemployment rose slightly as American employers paused hiring with midterm elections just a month away.
theguardian.com
John Maynard Keynes: the cultured economist who governments turn to in a crisis
A new play about the art-loving Bloomsbury Group member speaks of the enduring battle of ideas with his free-market rival Friedrich HayekThe sound of guns from the advancing German armies could be heard clearly by John Maynard Keynes as his train trundled across northern France in the spring of 1918. The evidence of the struggle on the western front was everywhere but Keynes, then a Treasury official, was not heading to Paris on war business; he was off to buy some art.Keynes made the risky trip to attend an auction of the studio of Edgar Degas, who had died the previous year. The man who would become the foremost economist of the 20th century returned to London with some impressionist treasures for the National Gallery, having successfully petitioned the chancellor of the exchequer to spend £20,000 at the sale. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tesco is first supermarket to offer paid ‘safe leave’ for victims of domestic abuse
Exclusive: Britain’s largest private-sector employer has also trained managers to spot signs of domestic abuseTesco has become the first supermarket to introduce paid “safe leave” for victims of domestic abuse, giving staff dedicated time to access support, secure their safety and take steps to move on with their lives.The UK’s largest private-sector employer is offering up to three days of paid leave which can be taken flexibly for activities such as attending court hearings, arranging emergency accommodation, changing locks, securing childcare or separating finances. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Labor market faltered in September as jobs increased by just 29,000, unemployment rate rose to 4.2%
Nonfarm payrolls rose by just 29,000 in September, well below the 84,000 forecast, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.
cnbc.com
Nike shares tumble after weak revenue outlook and layoff plans underway
Nike's shares dropped for a second straight day of declines after it reported falling revenue and plans to lay off staff.
theguardian.com
UK diesel price hits record high of £2 a litre
France proposes that EU nations and IEA release oil and diesel from reserves as Iran war drives up cost worldwide‘Half my day’s pay goes to filling up my car’Business live – latest updatesBritish motorists face more pressure at the pumps after the average price of diesel climbed to a record £2 a litre.The price of a litre at UK forecourts has risen 40.5% since late February, when the US-Israel war on Iran began disrupting supplies of crude and refined oil products from the Gulf, leading to cost increases across the economy. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why UK diesel prices have breached the £2 per litre mark
The average price of a litre of diesel at the pump stands at an all-time high of 200.01p, according to the RAC motoring body.
cnbc.com
Oil prices fall on report of potential diesel, crude stock release; Brent back below $100
It comes after Reuters reported that EU nations were discussing a proposal to release diesel reserves following pressure from the Trump administration.
bbc.co.uk
New free repair shop to launch in Oxford
Organisers hope the initiative will attract enough interest to continue on a monthly basis.
cnbc.com
Big Pharma’s China deal spree grows with latest tie-up worth up to $7.8 billion
Western biopharma companies are increasingly turning to China to source innovation, as pharma's dreaded "patent cliff" draws closer.
bbc.co.uk
Diesel prices in NI at highest level since Iran war began
The average price of a litre of diesel hit 193.3p this week, according to NI Consumer Council data.
cnbc.com
How AI is redefining Wall Street jobs — and boosting demand for this new 'hottest skill' by 1,721%
Banks are fueling a hiring surge for AI engineers who are good at "agent orchestration" — the ability to coordinate teams of specialized agents.
cnbc.com
A violent classroom revolt is becoming France's next big crisis
Hundreds of French high schools closed Friday after nationwide student protests over school conditions escalated into violence.
theguardian.com
Gordon Ramsay’s UK restaurants stay in red despite sales topping £100m
Group says trading was helped by airing of Netflix documentary and opening of its 100th outletBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK arm of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants empire remained in the red last year despite sales topping £100m for the first time after a string of openings in a London tower.The celebrity chef’s UK business, which has 34 outlets including the Savoy Grill, Pétrus and several Lucky Cat restaurants, narrowed losses to £5.8m from £9.4m the year before. Sales rose 3% to almost £101m. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Sky-high fuel prices push costs up on customers and charities
Growing fuel costs are leading to an increase in costs for charities and other businesses.
cnbc.com
Trump wants South Korea in on Alaska LNG. Here’s why Seoul is cautious
South Korea remains cautious on Alaska LNG amid concerns over its high costs and commercial risks.
bbc.co.uk
UK diesel price hits £2 a litre as US calls for Europe to release more stocks
The RAC says diesel price rises are showing no signs of slowing, "heaping more misery" onto drivers.
cnbc.com
Google has been playing catch up with OpenAI and Anthropic. Does its new flagship model really compete at the frontier?
Google has been trailing OpenAI and Anthropic for much of 2026, analysts say Gemini 4 puts it back in the frontier AI conversation.
bbc.co.uk
No more cereal at the end of the aisle? New rules in Scotland's supermarkets
Restrictions are being put on products with high sugar, fat and salt content, but the meal deal lives on.
cnbc.com
The secret signs the bond sell-off might be ending
A big options bet involving the utility sector could indicate a top in yields.
theguardian.com
OpenAI disclose another hack on government department in Australia
Attack accessing historical data on bushfires occurred in June but not disclosed by the tech company until ThursdayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastArtificial intelligence company OpenAI has disclosed another unauthorised hack on a government department in Australia.In June, an OpenAI agent hacked into a New South Wales state government department and accessed historical non-public data on bushfires without authorisation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Kinky dating app Feeld’s founders share in record £3.8m dividend after sales jump
Platform ‘for the curious’ says users outside the UK account for nearly 90% of its revenuesBusiness live – latest updatesFeeld, a UK-based dating app aimed at non-monogamous, queer and kinky users, has reported strong sales growth and paid its largest-ever dividend as it attracts users from more “vanilla” rivals.Revenues jumped by 32% to £64m following a surge in interest from what it called “open-minded people exploring love, desire, and alternative relationships in a safe, inclusive space”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Bargain Britain lures foreign buyers as hostile takeovers surge
International capital is driving a surge in public takeovers in the G7’s fastest-growing economy.
cnbc.com
Eurozone inflation hits its highest level in three years at 3.8% as energy costs soar
Annual euro zone inflation hit 3.8% last month, its highest level since September 2023.
cnbc.com
Brazil votes in high-stakes election as U.S.-China rivalry and debt loom large
Brazil will hold a knife-edge vote as its presidential race kicks off — but the election's outcome is likely to be felt far beyond the country's borders.
theguardian.com
For too long, only the right has expanded the boundaries of what governments can do. Can Burnham change that? | Andy Beckett
The PM might come across as a nice bloke but he is politically ruthless. He will need to be if he is to turn big talk into big changesHow much can a Labour government change the country? According to many voters, journalists and politicians, including plenty in the party itself, the answer to that stubbornly recurring question has always been: not that much. Labour governments can’t restructure the economy, radically redistribute wealth, truly empower the disadvantaged or adopt a genuinely ethical foreign policy without upsetting too many powerful interests, from the British rich to the US government to global financial markets.This endlessly repeated conventional wisdom – internalised by some on the left as well as centrists and the right – has haunted many Labour governments, from the first, tentative ones in the 1920s to Keir Starmer’s diligent but failed administration a century later. Yet conventional wisdom can be wrong, especially in volatile periods such as the current one, when precedent may count for little.Andy Beckett is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
US pressures Europe to release diesel reserves as Trump threatens export ban
President Donald Trump has threatened to ban diesel exports in a bid to ease prices in the US ahead of the November elections.
theguardian.com
Recent lobbyist for Palantir had key role in helping Andy Burnham become PM
Exclusive: Martha Dalton worked closely with Burnham’s team on byelection that secured his return to parliamentA recent lobbyist for the controversial $450bn US tech company Palantir played a senior role in helping Andy Burnham become prime minister, it has emerged.Martha Dalton, whose company Lodestone worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025, campaigned for Burnham in the Makerfield byelection that secured his return to parliament. She worked closely with his team on strategic communications and rebuttals, and was among supporters who clapped him into Downing Street in July. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why are minimum alcohol prices going up?
The minimum price of alcohol (MUP) in Wales has risen by 30%.
bbc.co.uk
OpenAI fires workers for 'mishandling sensitive information'
The former employees were investigated for sharing data with an outside AI evaluation group.
theguardian.com
‘If you can’t hold it, you don’t own it’: why media fans want to escape algorithms with CDs, DVDs and vinyl
People describe their return to physical media – whether to protect data, support artists, or retain control of one’s choices For some, it is the security of knowing they have a physical copy of their favourite films and music, free from algorithms, interruptions and the vagaries of streaming. For others, it is the sound of needle on vinyl, the click of a cassette player and the ability to interact with a physical format.We asked people if they were moving back to CDs, DVDs, vinyl and older formats to escape algorithmically curated content. Here are some of their responses. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. to send third carrier group to Mideast as Trump warns of new Iran strikes
The U.S. is reportedly sending a third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, as Trump weighs resuming bombing Iran after the midterms.
cnbc.com
South Korean President Lee warns of 'measures' against Ukraine over prisoner row, demands apology
"As this is a matter concerning the honor of the Republic of Korea's people and nation, we cannot overlook it," he said.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Bond yield whiplash grips global economy
Bond market moves keep investors on both sides of the Atlantic on edge ahead of another key jobs report.
cnbc.com
Jewelry giant Pandora is getting in on lab-grown diamonds and hoping a new Vietnam plant helps growth in Asia
Pandora is expanding its manufacturing footprint beyond Thailand with a new $150 million Vietnam facility as the Danish jeweler eyes further growth across Asia.
cnbc.com
Washington’s big crypto bill is stuck. The SEC is pushing ahead anyway
The SEC has proposed new rules that would make it easier for investment advisers and regulated funds to hold cryptocurrencies on behalf of clients.
cnbc.com
Bitget 'not expecting to recover a lot' from $388 million hack, CEO tells CNBC
Bitget has frozen a tiny fraction of the $387.5 million stolen in last week’s hack, and restored much of its protection fund.
theguardian.com
Almost half of Fayed abuse accusers are potential trafficking victims, MPs told
Exclusive: Met police say 70 women’s accounts have hallmarks of trafficking, suggesting case numbers could riseAlmost half of the women who reported allegations of sexual abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed to the Metropolitan police are potential victims of human trafficking, MPs have been told.In a briefing for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for the survivors of Fayed and Harrods in July, senior Met officers said a review earlier this year found 70 survivors’ accounts bore the hallmarks of trafficking. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in landmark towers in England and Scotland – in pictures
From a neo-baronial country house with turrets in acres of grounds in Scotland to a modernist tower block in a bustling part of London Continue reading...
cnbc.com
War, $100 oil and a bond sell-off reshaped markets in the third quarter
The third quarter was notably volatile, particularly for stocks and bonds.
theguardian.com
Would a gambling tax rise in the budget really shut shops and cost jobs?
Most of the betting industry is urging the chancellor not to double slot machine duty to raise up to £460m more a yearGambling industry kingpins are fuming about reports that the chancellor, John Healey, is considering increasing taxes on high-street slot machines in his first budget.The influential Social Market Foundation thinktank, the most vocal advocate for a rise in machine games duty (MGD), from 20% to 40%, thinks the measure could raise between £275m and £460m annually, on top of the roughly £610m collected last year. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Staff fears grow that BBC will shut its Three and Scotland channels next week
Redundancy process suggests home of Gavin and Stacey and Fleabag could go online-only again in £500m cuts pushThe BBC has started a redundancy process in its TV and streaming division, heightening staff fears that Matt Brittin will announce the closure of the poorly performing BBC Three and BBC Scotland channels next week.The corporation’s director general, who has repeatedly said that linear TV and radio services may have to shut as audiences move online, is expected to inform staff on Wednesday of the latest stage of a plan to save £500m and shed up to 2,000 jobs. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
A Brexit reversal is on the table 10 years on from the vote that changed Britain. Here’s what’s at stake
Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016.
cnbc.com
AI is making cyberattacks faster and harder to detect, Interpol warns. Here’s what companies should watch
An Interpol executive warns AI is making existing cyber threats faster and harder to detect, while companies face new risks from the rise of agentic AI.
cnbc.com
U.S. trade representative Greer says deal with India not 'imminent' after Modi-Trump call
Ties between the U.S. and India have been under strain for over a year, and New Delhi faces fresh risk of up to 100% tariffs for continuing to buy Russian oil.
theguardian.com
‘An amazing ride’: SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record
Four astronauts pulled up at International Space Station after eight-hour express flight led by Jessica WatkinsFour astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a US speed record, and that created further history with the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for Nasa after a three-week delay to fix their Dragon capsule’s leaking fuel system. Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but skies cleared enough to allow a safe liftoff from Cape Canaveral at 11.10am (1510 GMT). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
We don’t need to panic about AI. We need to hold its creators accountable when things go wrong | John Quiggin
If a chatbot prompt like ‘find Australian medicine statistics’ results in a website breach, the responsibility does not lie with a piece of codeThe recent panic about a breach of Medicare computer security by an “AI agent” contrasts sharply with other recent cases such as the Telstra and Optus outages that left many Australians unable to reach Triple Zero. In those cases, no one blamed the computers involved. The mistakes were clearly sheeted home to the corporations that operated them.This wasn’t always the case. When the term “artificial intelligence” was coined some 70 years ago, the first mainframe computers (absurdly primitive by modern standards) were viewed with the same awe and concern as the AI agents of the present day. There were even “algorithms” (though the term wasn’t used in that way at the time) that were supposed to pick ideal dating matches. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Crypto thieves attack man in home and threaten to kill pregnant wife's baby in 'horrific' robbery
The man was beaten with hammers until he transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds of cryptocurrency.
bbc.co.uk
What's gone wrong at Nike? How the world's sportswear giant lost its mojo
Several self-inflicted mistakes have cost the biggest sportswear brand on the planet in recent years.
cnbc.com
South Korean President Lee pushes back on Alaska LNG project after Trump touts Seoul's participation
The U.S. announced plans for up to $200 billion in South Korean investment, though Seoul has yet to finalize the participation in the Alaska LNG project.
bbc.co.uk
'It could cost me £10k but I need the money now': Why Gen Z are opting out of pensions
A growing number of people are opting out of these schemes due to cost-of-living pressures.
bbc.co.uk
The wealthy Cuban Americans ready and waiting for Havana to fall
Cuban exiles in Florida are increasingly hopeful that regime change in Cuba is now on the horizon.
theguardian.com
UK airlines to be banned from charging parents to sit with children
Planned rule change forms part of Burnham’s bid to crack down on the ‘little charges that add up’Airlines will be blocked from charging parents extra to sit with their children on planes, according to government plans.The new rule would require airlines to seat passengers aged under 14 next to their parents or an accompanying adult free of charge. Passengers will also no longer need to pay to tweak the name on their flight booking if they need to correct a mistake. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Treasury yields fall from multiyear highs
Treasury yields were higher on Thursday as investors kept selling government debt.
cnbc.com
Trump could target three Fed governors. Removing them may be harder than it looks
Trump could seek to remove Jerome Powell, Lisa Cook and Michael Barr from the Federal Reserve, but court rulings and lengthy litigation could limit him.
cnbc.com
Boeing engineers and technical workers approve new contract, avoiding strike
The work group comprises Boeing's largest white-collar union.
cnbc.com
Europe’s winter energy crunch may already be underway. Two U.S. stocks that may benefit
BP's largest oil discovery in 25 years. What it means for the stock.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Protests about 87-year-old Mariacarmen Abascal's eviction reignited the housing debate
theguardian.com
Lyft agrees to pay California $272.5m in largest-ever wage theft settlement
More than $237m will be distributed to drivers over firm labeling them independent contractors and not employeesLyft agreed to pay the state of California $272.5m on Thursday to settle claims that it stole drivers’ wages by mislabeling them as independent contractors rather than employees.Rob Bonta, California’s attorney general, called the agreement a “landmark win for workers” and said it was the largest settlement involving wage theft claims in the state’s history. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Google unveils latest AI model, but Wall Street wants a breakout personal agent
Google is promising major advances in coding and cybersecurity, but the company is quickly falling behind in personal agents.
bbc.co.uk
PM warned Rosebank oil field could breach West Bank sanctions
Campaigners and Green Party leader Zack Polanski raise concerns about Rosebank's ties to an Israeli firm.
bbc.co.uk
HMRC urged to scrutinise tax implications of Man City case
The Treasury Committee, which is responsible for overseeing HMRC, has urged the body to scrutinise tax implications of the Manchester City verdict.
bbc.co.uk
Thames Water apologises after £145,000 customer billing mistake
The firm has apologised to the family.
theguardian.com
Flipping public opinion on the triple lock was Burnham magic – he’ll need more of it to see his social care plans through | Polly Toynbee
Rebuilding a complex and broken system into one that’s fair for all, and in the face of steely opposition: that will be the PM’s real challengeHere is rare clearcut proof of the power of political persuasion. Party conference speeches, the lifeblood of political obsessives, rarely reach the public beyond a brief news clip. But this time was different. Andy Burnham’s speech spun the dial on public opinion on several political hot potatoes, defining who he is.The pensions triple lock, which guarantees that pensions rise faster than average incomes, has been a no-go electoral minefield despite a groundswell of economists (and even a Times leader) calling for reform to prevent pensions skyrocketing. Touching this live rail was an act of bravery – or recklessness.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Travelodge failed sex assault victim 'at every stage'
Room intrusions were still being reported at one-in-10 Travelodge hotels this summer, a review finds.
theguardian.com
How poor public transport policy is putting the brake on cities | Letters
David Andrews suggests a tram network could be the answer to London’s clogged streets, while V Narayanan says unused cycle lanes are a waste of valuable road spaceYour analysis of slowing buses in global cities sets out the mechanism exactly, and the remedy follows from it (London buses in decline? Why public transport in global cities is slowing to a crawl – visualised, 23 September).Transport for London’s own calculation that a 10% fall in speed costs 6% of demand and Imperial College London’s finding of the same decline across 15 cities show what happens to buses as the traffic thickens around them. Retiming the lights will not reverse it, and London is already trying. The phrase to notice in the article is one used by TfL: signals will give more buses priority “where possible”. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Is it time to ditch premium bonds?
Martin Lewis says though they are the UK's most popular form of savings, not everybody benefits from them. Martin explains who premium bonds are best for, and who they aren’t so good for.
theguardian.com
Bedford rail crash: train sped up after red light warning, say investigators
Driver of East Midlands train, who died in June crash, received automatic warning after passing red light but train continued to accelerateThe train that ran into the back of another in the Bedford rail crash sped up after the driver received a warning he had passed a red light, rail investigators have reported.The driver of the East Midlands train, who died in the crash in June, acknowledged the automatic warning but did not appear to act after passing a danger signal that was rarely ever red. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US datacenter discharged large amounts of pollution for almost a year with no permits
Records show Vineland facility in New Jersey emitted health-harming pollution before regulators stepped inDataOne, the Microsoft-linked New Jersey datacenter recently hit with a $1m fine for running unpermitted generators, emitted large amounts of health-harming air pollution for nearly a year before state regulators stepped in, according to public records obtained by Floodlight.The Vineland facility’s 62 gas-fired generators became public in August after a Floodlight/Guardian visual investigation found them operating without permits. The New Jersey department of environmental protection last week fined the company over the fleet but did not disclose how long the generators had been operating nor how much air pollution they had released into the surrounding community over the past year.This story is from Floodlight, a non-profit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action. Sign up for Floodlight’s newsletter here Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump's AI rebrand causes 'unprecedented' demand for Slovenian website names
The president wants AI to be called super intelligence - or SI - the same initials used by Slovenian domains.
theguardian.com
Inside the undersea kingdom: the secret, sinister battle to control what lies beneath the waves
Every day, trillions of dollars, oil and gas and 99% of the world’s web traffic move through undersea pipelines that bear no state’s protection. With superpowers and corporations vying for control, should we be worried about this new wild west?On Christmas Day 2024, six weeks before Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were due to disconnect themselves from Russia’s power grid, a Finnish engineer was just about to sit down to lunch when his phone rang. He was responsible for the Finnish side of the undersea cables that keep Finland and the Baltic states supplied with electricity, and one was malfunctioning. Within a couple of hours, authorities knew that a Cook Islands-registered tanker called the Eagle S, part of the shadow fleet carrying sanctioned Russian oil, in this case to Egypt, had sailed over the cable at the moment and location at which it had stopped working. The coastguard hailed the Eagle S. Were their anchors up? Yes, they replied – though they did not seem to check – and sailed on.Three hours later the ship hit another four cables in quick succession, nearly hobbling internet provision in Finland and Estonia – and was minutes away from a major electricity cable and the Balticconnector, which supplies the two countries with gas. Finland scrambled the border guard, which pulled up alongside the tanker and demanded the crew take up its anchor. But the Eagle S was not in Finnish territorial waters: the authorities could not force the captain to comply, and they did not know who or what might come to his aid. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
AI boom could trigger market shocks, Bank of England boss warns
Andrew Bailey says the central bank is watching the waves of cash being invested in artificial intelligence "very carefully".
theguardian.com
Britain’s scaffolding should be a source of national pride - instead we’re struggling to recruit workers | Adrian Chiles
My dad and grandad were scaffolders. I even did it myself for a short time. It’s brutally hard work – but it’s something the tech bros will never take awayThere’s a shortage of scaffolders. I can’t think why. It’s incredibly hard physical work, doubtless doesn’t pay enough and requires real skill to get right. Scaffolding was part of my dad’s and grandad’s business, so I did it for a while, rather badly. After a torrid few months, I slowly got strong enough to make a contribution. The first time I lifted a 21ft scaffold pole on my own was a proud day indeed. Now, I can’t even pull one off the back of a truck – this I know, because I’ve tried, being in the habit of talking to any scaffolders who can spare the time for a chat and enjoy scoffing at my weakness.They’re a breed of their own and, alarmingly, a dying one. In March, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation said the UK needed as many as 40,000 more scaffolders. Unless this shortfall is filled, we’re going to be putting up a lot of low-rise buildings. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK house price growth halves amid rising mortgage interest rates
Prices fell by 0.2% month on month in September as average price of a home slipped to £274,251, says NationwideBusiness live – latest updatesAnnual house price growth halved in the UK last month, as economic uncertainty caused by conflict in the Middle East continued to deter homebuyers.The average price of a British home rose 0.8% in the year to September to £274,251, according to Nationwide. That was half the rate recorded in August, when house prices grew 1.6% year on year. It also marked the slowest pace of home price growth since December last year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Energy bills are rising by £60 a year - here's how you can bring that down
Household energy bills have risen again but there are ways to keep a lid on your expenditure.
bbc.co.uk
Employers should teach primary-age children about work, says Milburn
The author of a major report into youth activity in the UK says children as young as four should be learning about careers.
bbc.co.uk
Africa's richest man launches Kenya oil refinery despite land protests
The Kenya refinery is part of Dangote's ambitious bid to expand and help industralise Africa by 2030.
theguardian.com
The zero-bills home: how one family is beating the energy price hikes
The Naylors’ four-bedroom home in Milton Keynes acts like a mini-power station after retrofitting solar panels, a battery and a heat pumpClare Naylor paid close attention to how much energy she and her family were using last winter, filling hot-water bottles and bringing out extra blankets to ensure they didn’t go over budget. This year, she won’t have to worry as she is guaranteed not to receive a bill.While millions of British households face the highest energy charges in three years from today after a 4% rise in the price cap, and predictions of a 16% increase in January, upgrades to Naylor’s home mean she will not have to pay anything. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Healey urged to offer energy support in budget as bills rise 4%
Millions of people in Great Britain face increase from Thursday to an average of £1,723 a year for a typical homeWhat to do as energy bills head for £2,000 a yearJohn Healey is under growing pressure to offer fresh energy support for households in next month’s budget as millions face a 4% rise in charges from Thursday to an average of £1,723 a year for a typical home.In his speech at Labour’s conference in Liverpool this week, the chancellor warned that the government had limited resources to cushion the worldwide economic shocks hitting Britain, while arguing his budget would have fiscal discipline at its core. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rightwing economic myths could derail Burnham’s project – to destroy them, look to Keynes | Larry Elliott
Borrowing can be good, there is no such thing as the ‘nation’s credit card’, and, yes, you can buck the markets – as previous governments have shownAndy Burnham does a nice line in nostalgia. His first party conference speech as prime minister was full of fond memories for the Britain of the 1950s and 1960s, when working-class families could sense their lives steadily getting better. The underlying message of his address was that, given time, he could rekindle that optimism and return the country to how it was before Margaret Thatcher wrecked everything.Much of what Burnham says is true. The 1980s was a decade of deindustrialisation, asset-stripping and financial deregulation that has shaped modern Britain – and not in a good way.Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fixer, financier, spymaster: how the UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon is setting his sights on AI dominance
The Emirati royal is increasingly influential on the world stage. Some see him as a visionary. Others compare him to a Bond villain. Who is he?On the night of 12 November 1993, a slim, young Brazilian named Royce Gracie stepped into an octagonal cage in Denver, Colorado, and found himself staring up into the eyes of a giant. Gerard Gordeau, a Dutch kickboxer, stood five inches taller, weighed almost three stone more than him, and had an extra decade of fighting experience under his belt. Now the pair were about to engage in bare-knuckle combat: no judges, no separation of opponents by size, no respite until someone either got knocked out cold or begged for mercy.The fight lasted barely 100 seconds. In that time, Gracie calmly tripped Gordeau up, jumped on his back, and clutched at his throat, forcing the big man to hammer the floor in submission. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Billionaire Sheiks and ‘sham’ contracts: the Manchester City scandal – podcast
Jonathan Liew explains the accusations against Manchester City – and Simon Hattenstone explains how it feels to be a fan Simon Hattenstone, a features writer for the Guardian, has been a Manchester City fan for more than 50 years. He was very young – and recovering from a childhood illness that had nearly killed him – when he started going to matches in his home town with his dad.For a long time, it was a relationship built on occasional highs and many, many lows. But then something extraordinary happened: Manchester City’s fortune began to turn and it had a glittering decade – until it all came crashing down. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Foreign insurers get the red-carpet treatment — and policy uncertainty
Foreign insurers brace for another set of policy changes in India's insurance market.
bbc.co.uk
The AI telling farmers when to harvest
Will farmers want AI tools to help judge when to pick fruit, or is their own intuition enough?
bbc.co.uk
Vape tax comes into effect - but prices won't rise yet
Vaping is about to becoming more expensive due to a new tax on products.
theguardian.com
Government must stop dithering over energy bill support for the vulnerable | Nils Pratley
Ministers should introduce a properly targeted social tariff rather than tinker with the warm homes discount Energy bills forecast to jump by £276 a year from JanuaryWhat to do as prices head for £2,000 a yearAfter the hopeful good vibes in Liverpool, here comes a reminder of what is coming this winter: a mighty new year shock in energy bills, hitting the poorest hardest, that the government looks unprepared for.From the quarterly price cap level of £1,723 that will apply from Thursday for an average dual-fuel household, take your pick from a range of forecasts for the first three months of 2027. The energy consultancy Cornwall Insight says £1,999. The big supplier EDF thinks £2,076. Split the difference and we’re talking about an 18% quarter-on-quarter rise in the unit rate at the worst time of the year, the months of peak consumption.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Energy bills: what to do as prices head for £2,000 a year, from switching deals to insulating
The price cap is to soar for about 20 million households in Great Britain from January, but there are ways to saveEnergy bills in Great Britain forecast to jump by £276 a year from JanuaryHousehold energy prices are set to soar in January, with a typical bill forecast to jump by £276 to the equivalent of nearly £2,000 year.It is a worrying outlook but there are practical steps you can take to mitigate the predicted price shock. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Greggs to shut four factories and cut 740 jobs
The company says it needs to "keep evolving alongside changing customer expectations".
bbc.co.uk
Household energy bills forecast to see biggest rise in four years
A typical household faces an annual gas and electricity bill of £1,999 from January, based on a key forecast.
bbc.co.uk
Regulating AI 'not the right place to start' says Bailey
AI needs "rigorous" testing and safeguards to contain risk, Andrew Bailey says.
theguardian.com
‘So much uncertainty’: Michigan’s Arab American businesses navigate Trump’s Canada trade war
Arab communities on both sides of the border grapple with ongoing tensions as US-Canada relations continue to sourIn Dearborn, Michigan, home to the largest community of Arab Americans in the US, one industry has risen above all others in recent years: Yemeni cafes.At the forefront is Qahwah House, a powerhouse in the burgeoning Yemeni cafe world with 32 branches open across the country. Three of those are here in Dearborn, with more on the way, and they attract people from near and far. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
A ‘freaked out’ US food industry is hitting back at Maha – with social media influencers
Cross-partisan support in Washington on issues like pesticides and food additives pose a threat to the industry’s bottom line Some of the biggest food and agriculture corporations in the US are funding a campaign that pays social media influencers to combat elements of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again platform, according to an investigation by the Guardian and Documented, an investigative watchdog and journalism project.The ascension of RFK Jr to secretary of health and human services has boosted his putative campaign to end chronic illness in the US, which he believes is primarily caused by processed foods and dyes, exposure to certain chemicals, and poor farming practices, along with an overuse of what he falsely claims are dangerous vaccines. The “Maha” movement blends long-running mainstream concerns about food and farm safety with conspiracy theories about everything from medicine to milk. A Maha “summit” in Washington this week will feature JD Vance and several members of Trump’s cabinet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Beyond priceless’: how a halt to dredging saved the seas of Scotland’s Summer Isles
Fish and shellfish populations were falling rapidly as scallop dredgers devastated the seabed, but local activists and small-scale fishers battled hard to protect their coastlineInside a bothy overlooking the Summer Isles, in the north-west of Scotland, the lilting tones of a traditional Gaelic duo fill a room full of musicians, storytellers, artists, local people and revellers, hung with fish-shaped lanterns and “Happy Birthday” signs.It’s no ordinary birthday. The people in the small cabin have come together, on a windy night in Achiltibuie, a string of coastal hamlets and villages north of Ullapool, to celebrate an important milestone in the community’s history: a hard-won battle to protect their waters from the ravages of scallop dredging. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Doubters spur me on: why more women are taking up DIY
Female DIY experts and tradeswomen talk about their experiences of a traditionally male-dominated domain.
bbc.co.uk
Three takeaways from Trump's 'Super Intelligence' summit
The meeting at the White House came as some tech bosses and experts have called for tighter rules around AI.
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham’s big bold leap - podcast
Helen Pidd reports from the Labour conference in Liverpool as Andy Burnham lays out his grand plans as prime minister. With deputy political editor Jessica Elgot Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The start-ups hoping to return battery making to the US
Batteries based on sodium-ion technology could be made in the US with locally sourced materials.
bbc.co.uk
Huel ad banned for suggesting its products could replace all meals
The advertising watchdog said that viewers could assume from the ad that replacing all normal food with Huel was "nutritionally appropriate".
theguardian.com
Burnham’s triple lock gamble | Politics Weekly
Andy Burnham has delivered a powerful and emotional speech to the Labour conference. He announced policies on the pensions triple lock, social care and electoral reform. He said he was willing to talk about the things politicians usually avoid. But without a big budget can he deliver his big dreams for the country? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will pensioners be poorer as a result of Burnham scrapping the triple lock?
Original triple lock was designed to lift pensioners out of poverty but OBR says it contributes to unsustainability of public financesThe prime minister has announced that the pensions triple lock will be scrapped in its current form, to partly fund a national care service. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Diesel export ban: will Trump push global energy prices even higher? - The Latest
As the fallout from the Iran conflict continues, the price of diesel has soared to record highs in the UK, Europe and US. With his country facing an increase of 70% in costs compared with this time last year, Donald Trump is threatening a ban on US diesel exports to keep costs low for American consumers. But the plans have been met with alarm – the UK is holding talks with US counterparts to try to block the move, which France says would be ‘catastrophic’ if introduced. Lucy Hough speaks to energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Visible and engaged’: Burnham in listening mode with businesses at Labour party conference
PM reassures firms and chancellor vows help on costs – but unease remains over possible budget tax risesBusiness live – latest updatesA year ago Andy Burnham had a tough business reception at Labour’s party conference. The then mayor of Greater Manchester, with clear ambitions to replace Keir Starmer, had rattled the City of London with his comment that Britain should be less “in hock” to bond markets.Returning to the annual gathering in Liverpool a year later as prime minister, the mood is different. Labour is pushing to repair relations with corporate Britain and reassure City bond traders against a jittery backdrop amid the Middle East war. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
My hometown shows that high streets have to change or die
Aberdeen is launching an ambitious bid to revive its struggling centre. Could it offer lessons for other high streets?
bbc.co.uk
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
bbc.co.uk
X-planes: Are they needed in the new era of drones?
Where do America's X-plane projects fit in an era of cheap drones?
bbc.co.uk
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
bbc.co.uk
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
bbc.co.uk
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
bbc.co.uk
The extreme engineering of aircraft windows
Few companies have the technology to make aircraft windows which are getting harder to make.
bbc.co.uk
Can Europe recharge its battery industry?
Europe has some promising battery tech, but can it make up ground lost to Chinese battery giants?
bbc.co.uk
I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why
Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
bbc.co.uk
Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take over
AI agents went on an uncontrolled hacking spree, leaving some in the industry worried
bbc.co.uk
Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
bbc.co.uk
'Tirana teeth': Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
The Balkan nation is aiming to become a new centre for medical tourism.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
From 'dog fruit' to darling: India's avocado boom
Demand for avocados is booming in India and local growers hope to grab more of the market.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
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